Marjorie Mae Conroy

1926 - 2024

Marjorie M. Conroy (1926-2024).

Marjorie Mae Conroy, Hillsboro and Klamath Falls, passed away on Nov. 15, 2024, after 98 years, in her own words, of an "unbelievably blessed life."

Marjorie was born to Rose and Victor Ongman Sept. 24, 1926, in Cass Lake, Minn., and moved with her family - three brothers, a sister, mom and dad and two uncles - to Klamath Falls in early 1929. She graduated from Klamath Union High in June 1945. She was an outstanding business and accounting student at Klamath Union and was recommended by her teachers to work in the lumber industry immediately upon graduation, working as administrative and business support for lumber related businesses in Klamath Falls and then in Seattle and Portland.

She married Jim Conroy, a high school classmate who had served in the Navy during WW II, on Aug. 14, 1949, settling in their first home in Malin where Jim was hired at the high school to teach voc-ag, math and science, and coach football, basketball and baseball. Marjorie was "drafted" to wash all the team uniforms while attending to their own growing family (three boys in 28 months, joined by their daughter nine years later). They were married for 45 wonderful years until Jim unexpectedly passed away in December 1994. They raised their family - Carl (Goldendale, Wash.), Jay (Corvallis), Scott (Hillsboro), and Tina (Overland Park, Kan.) - on a 40 acre "farm" in a great community (Malin and Klamath Falls) with wonderful friends and many days and evenings filled with picnics at the park, potlucks, youth and town-team games, school activities, pinochle, bowling and just "coffee and time together." They were members of St. Augustine Catholic Church in Merrill, and later St. Pius X Catholic Church in Klamath Falls.

Marj moved to Tigard in 1995 to be more centrally located to her kids and their families, and lived there for nearly 30 years, moving to Hillsboro and assisted living in 2024. She was a member and lector at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Tigard.

She was preceded in death by her mom and dad, Rose and Victor Ongman; her loving husband, Jim; her siblings, Gladys Toycen, George Harvey Ongman, Clift Ongman and Carl Ongman; and is survived by their "loads of wonderful nieces, nephews and grands." She is survived by her immediate family, Carl (Karen); Jay (Judy); Scott (Lisa); and Tina Heckmaster (Troy), and 15 grandchildren and 39 great grandchildren

Mom's life centered on family, work, play (or supporting others who did) and a humble but deep faith. She chauffeured ball teams, watched hundreds of games and 4-H and scouting activities, insisted on close attention to strong schoolwork and school activities and served as the impeccable "chief accountant, cook and bottle washer" for family affairs.

Her work path took her to administrative support jobs in Klamath Falls, Seattle, Portland and Malin. She later served as assistant to the director of campus residence at OIT before "retiring" to focus on her love of volunteer and community service work at the Merle West Hospital Guild, American Legion Auxiliary, American Cancer Society, Beta Sigma Phi and St. Pius X Church Council. She tirelessly and gladly supported Jim's work as superintendent of county schools and his service in Rotary International.

In her nearly 30 years at King City, she served on the city council and planning commission, was active in Rotary and helped each year with the annual Thanksgiving community dinner and club scholarship program.

In addition to family, she loved sewing, knitting, craft-art, and travelling that took her, Jim and/or friends around the world on a number of adventures. "See it all," she would often say to family members in her later years.

She was deeply loved and will be sorely missed by all. Her family is immensely grateful to the staff of Cornell Estates and Oasis Care Givers in Hillsboro for the kind and patient care provided mom in her final days.

A funeral mass open to all will be offered at 11 a.m., Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, at St. Matthew's Catholic Church, Hillsboro. Rosary at 10:30 a.m. All are welcome to a luncheon immediately after. She will be laid to rest at the Willamette National Cemetery, Portland, alongside her husband, Jim, on Tuesday, Dec. 17, at 9:45 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Klamath County 4-H Programs, 6923 Washburn Way, Klamath Falls, OR 97603; Rotary Youth Leadership and/or Youth Leadership Programs, c/o Rotary District #5100, 6700 W 105th Ave, Beaverton, OR 97008; or Catholic Charities of Oregon- c/o Catholiccharitiesoregon.org. Please share your thoughts and memories for the family at https://www.dvfuneralhome.com/obits.